Group communication method and device for providing proximity service

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and a device for performing group communication based on a proximity service (ProSe) in a wireless communication system. More specifically, the method comprises the steps of: enabling a relay terminal (relay user equipment, relay UE, ProSe UE-to-Network relay) to register group communication in a network node; and enabling the relay terminal to perform the group communication with the network node, wherein the group communication is configured to transmit a downlink signal using a multimedia broadcast and multimedia service (MBMS) if the number of terminals, except for a relayed terminal (relayed user equipment, relayed UE) among a plurality of terminals registered in the network node, is not less than a reference value.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and,more particularly, to a group communication method and apparatus forproviding proximity services (ProSe).

BACKGROUND ART

Proximity service (ProSe) refers to a scheme for supportingcommunication between devices located physically close to each other.Specifically, ProSe is aimed to discover an application operatingdevices which are in proximity and, ultimately, to support exchange ofdata related to the application. For example, it may be considered thatProSe is applied to applications such as social network services (SNS),commerce, and games.

ProSe may be also called device-to-device (D2D) communication. That is,ProSe refers to a communication scheme for establishing a direct linkbetween a plurality of devices (e.g., user equipments (UEs)) and thusdirectly exchanging user data (e.g., audio, multimedia data, etc.)between the devices without going via a network. ProSe communication mayinclude UE-to-UE communication, Peer-to-Peer communication, etc. Inaddition, ProSe communication may be applied to Machine-to-Machine (M2M)communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. Accordingly, ProSeis considered as one solution to reduce the burden of a base station dueto rapidly increasing data traffic. Besides, by adopting ProSe, effectssuch as reduction in procedures of a base station, reduction in powerconsumption of devices which participate in ProSe, increase in datatransmission speed, increase in network capacity, load distribution,cell coverage expansion, etc. can be expected.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

While adoption of ProSe is demanded as described above, a mechanism forsupporting and controlling ProSe is not specifically prepared.

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies ina method for performing group communication including UE-to-networkrelay operation in relation to a ProSe-based group communicationmechanism.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

Technical Solution

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing amethod for performing group communication based on proximity services(ProSe) in a wireless communication system, the method includingperforming group communication registration in a network node by a relayuser equipment (UE) (or a ProSe UE-to-network relay), and performinggroup communication with the network node by the relay UE, wherein thegroup communication is configured to transmit a downlink signal using amultimedia broadcast and multimedia service (MBMS) scheme if a number ofUEs other than relayed UEs among the UEs registered in the network nodeis equal to or greater than a reference value.

The method may further include receiving a first message for groupregistration of the network node, from a relayed UE by the relay UE, andtransmitting a second message for group registration of the relayed UEto the network node.

The second message may include location information of the relay UE. Thelocation information may include at least one of a tracking areaidentity (TAI) and an E-UTRAN cell global identifier (ECGI). The secondmessage may include relay operation information, and the relay operationinformation may indicate at least one of whether the relay UE performsrelay operation for the relayed UE, whether group registration of therelayed UE is performed via the relay UE, whether the relayed UEparticipates in group communication via the relay UE, whether therelayed UE is located in network coverage, whether the relayed UE islocated in E-UTRAN coverage supporting group communication, and whetherthe relayed UE is located in a group communication service range. Thesecond message may include identification information of the relay UE.

The method may further include receiving MBMS service information fromthe network node. The MBMS service information may be configured to betransmitted only to at least one relay UE among the at least one relayUE and at least one relayed UE located in a service range of the groupcommunication. The MBMS service information may include at least one ofa service identifier (ID), a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI), anda multicast address of media.

Granularity for a service range of the group communication may be one ofa single cell, a group communication service area, an MBMS service area,a single tracking area, multiple tracking areas, multiple cells, aMultimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency Network (MBSFN)area, an area pre-specified for group communication, and a Public LandMobile Network (PLMN).

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a methodfor supporting group communication based on proximity services (ProSe)by a network node in a wireless communication system, the methodincluding registering at least one user equipment (UE) in a specificgroup for receiving data from the network node, and determining a groupcommunication scheme for a plurality of UEs registered in the specificgroup, wherein the group communication scheme is determined as amultimedia broadcast and multimedia service (MBMS) scheme if a number ofthe UEs other than relayed UEs satisfies a reference value.

The method may further include receiving user service description (USD)information for MBMS delivery from a Broadcast-Multicast Service Centre(BM-SC) by the network node. The network node may be configured totransmit MBMS information only to at least one relay UE among the atleast one relay UE and at least one relayed UE located in a servicerange of the group communication. The USD information may be configuredto be used to receive downlink media/traffic by a relay UE located in aservice range of the group communication.

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a relayuser equipment (UE) (or a ProSe UE-to-network relay) for performinggroup communication based on proximity services (ProSe) in a wirelesscommunication system, the relay UE including a radio frequency (RF)unit, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to performgroup communication registration in a network node, and to perform groupcommunication with the network node, and wherein the group communicationis configured to transmit a downlink signal using a multimedia broadcastand multimedia service (MBMS) scheme if a number of UEs other thanrelayed UEs among the UEs registered in the network node is equal to orgreater than a reference value.

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a networknode for supporting group communication based on proximity services(ProSe) in a wireless communication system, the network node including aradio frequency (RF) unit, and a processor, wherein the groupcommunication is configured to register at least one user equipment (UE)in a specific group for receiving data from the network node, and todetermine a group communication scheme for the at least one UEregistered in the specific group, and wherein the group communicationscheme is determined as a multimedia broadcast and multimedia service(MBMS) scheme if a number of UEs other than relayed UEs among aplurality of UEs registered in the network node is equal to or greaterthan a reference value.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, when ProSe-based group communicationis performed, group communication including UE-to-network relayoperation may be efficiently performed.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the effectsthat could be achieved through the present invention are not limited towhat has been particularly described hereinabove and other advantages ofthe present invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the inventionand together with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating the architecture of anEvolved Packet System (EPS) including an Evolved Packet Core (EPC);

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a default data path for communicationbetween two UEs in an EPS;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a direct mode data path between two UEsbased on ProSe;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a locally routed data path between two UEsbased on ProSe;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating group communication includingUE-to-network relay operation based on ProSe;

FIG. 6 is a view for describing group communication services;

FIG. 7 is a view for describing group communication according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view for describing group communication according to anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the configurations of a UE and a networknode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

The embodiments of the present invention described hereinbelow arecombinations of elements and features of the present invention. Theelements or features may be considered selective unless otherwisementioned. Each element or feature may be practiced without beingcombined with other elements or features. Further, an embodiment of thepresent invention may be constructed by combining parts of the elementsand/or features. Operation orders described in embodiments of thepresent invention may be rearranged. Some constructions or features ofany one embodiment may be included in another embodiment and may bereplaced with corresponding constructions or features of anotherembodiment.

Specific terms used in the following description are provided to aid inunderstanding of the present invention. These specific terms may bereplaced with other terms within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention.

In some cases, to prevent the concept of the present invention frombeing ambiguous, structures and apparatuses of the known art will beomitted, or will be shown in the form of a block diagram based on mainfunctions of each structure and apparatus. In addition, like referencenumerals denote like elements in the drawings throughout thespecification.

The embodiments of the present invention can be supported by technicalstandards disclosed for at least one of radio access systems such asInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802, 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (3GPPLTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), and 3GPP2 systems. For steps or parts ofwhich description is omitted to clarify the technical features of thepresent invention, reference may be made to these documents. Further,all terms as set forth herein can be explained by the technicalstandards.

The following technology can be used in various radio access systems.For clarity, the present disclosure focuses on 3GPP LTE and LTE-Asystems. However, the technical features of the present invention arenot limited thereto.

Terms used in the present specification are defined as follows.

-   -   UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System): A 3^(rd)        generation mobile communication technology based on Global        System for Mobile communication (GSM), which is developed by        3GPP.    -   EPS (Evolved Packet System): A network system configured with an        access network such as an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which is an        Internet Protocol (IP)-based packet switched core network, LTE        or UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). EPS is a        network evolved from UMTS.    -   NodeB: A base station of a GSM/EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM        Evolution) Radio Access Network (GERAN)/UTRAN, which is        installed outdoors and has a coverage corresponding to a macro        cell.    -   eNodeB (evolved Node B): A base station of an LTE network, which        is installed outdoors and has a coverage corresponding to a        macro cell.    -   UE (User Equipment): A user device. The UE may be referred to as        a terminal, mobile equipment (ME) or a mobile station (MS). In        addition, the UE may be a portable device such as a laptop        computer, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a        smartphone or a multimedia device, or a non-portable device such        as a personal computer (PC) or a vehicle mounted device. The UE        is capable of performing communication using a 3GPP spectrum        such as LTE and/or a non-3GPP spectrum such as Wi-Fi or public        safety.    -   ProSe (Proximity Services or Proximity-based Services): Services        enabling discovery and direct communication/communication via a        base station/communication via a third device between physically        adjacent devices. In this case, user plane data is exchanged        through a direct data path without going via a 3GPP core network        (e.g., EPC).    -   Proximity: Proximity of a UE to another UE is determined based        on whether a predetermined proximity condition is satisfied.        Different proximity conditions can be given for ProSe discovery        and ProSe communication. The proximity condition may be        configured to be controlled by an operator.    -   ProSe Discovery: A process that identifies that a UE is in        proximity of another UE, using Evolved Universal Terrestrial        Radio Access (E-UTRA).    -   ProSe Communication: Communication between UEs in proximity by        means of a data path established between the UEs. The data path        can be established directly between the UEs or routed via a        local base station(s) (e.g., eNodeB(s)).    -   ProSe-enabled UE: A UE that supports ProSe discovery and/or        ProSe communication. The ProSe-enabled UE is simply referred to        as a UE in the following description.    -   ProSe-enabled Network: A network that supports ProSe discovery        and/or ProSe communication. The ProSe-enabled network is simply        referred to as a network in the following description.    -   ProSe Group Communication: One-to-many ProSe communication        between more than two ProSe-enabled UEs in proximity by means of        a common communication path established between the        ProSe-enabled UEs.    -   ProSe UE-to-Network Relay: A form of relay in which a public        safety ProSe-enabled UE acts as a communication relay between a        public safety ProSe-enabled UE and a ProSe-enabled network using        E-UTRA.    -   ProSe UE-to-UE Relay: A form of relay in which a public safety        ProSe-enabled UE acts as a ProSe communication relay between two        other public safety ProSe-enabled UEs.    -   RAN (Radio Access Network): A unit including a NodeB, an eNodeB        and a radio network controller (RNC) for controlling the NodeB        and the eNodeB in a 3GPP network. The RAN is present between a        UE and a core network and provides connection to the core        network.    -   HLR (Home Location Register)/HSS (Home Subscriber Server): A        database having subscriber information in a 3GPP network. HSS        may perform functions such as configuration storage, identity        management and user state storage.    -   RANAP (RAN Application Part): An interface between a RAN and a        node (e.g., Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Serving GPRS        (General Packet Radio Service) Supporting Node (SGSN)/Mobile        Switching Center (MSC)) for controlling a core network.    -   PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network): A network configured to        provide mobile communication services to individuals. PLMN can        be configured on an operator basis.    -   NAS (Non-Access Stratum): A functional layer for signaling and        exchanging traffic messages between a UE and a core network in a        UMTS protocol stack. NAS supports mobility of the UE and        supports a session management procedure for establishing and        maintaining IP connection between a UE and a Packet Data Network        GateWay (PDN GW).    -   HNB (Home NodeB): Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) for        providing UTRAN coverage. For details thereof, reference can be        made to 3GPP TS 25.467.    -   HeNodeB (Home eNodeB): CPE for providing Evolved-UTRAN (E-UTRAN)        coverage. For details thereof, reference can be made to 3GPP TS        36.300.    -   CSG (Closed Subscriber Group): A group of subscribers who are        permitted to access one or more CSG cells of a Public Land        Mobile Network (PLMN) as members of a CSG of a H(e)NB.    -   LIPA (Local IP Access): Access for an IP capable UE connected        via a H(e)NB to another IP capable entity in the same        residential/enterprise IP network. LIPA traffic is expected to        not traverse a mobile operator's network. A 3GPP Release-10        system provides access via a H(e)NB to resources of a local        network (e.g., network located at the customer's home or        enterprise).    -   SIPTO (Selected IP Traffic Offload): In a 3GPP Release-10        system, an operator selects a Packet data network GateWay (PGW)        which is physically close to a UE in an EPC network and supports        handover of user traffic.    -   PDN (Packet Data Network) Connection: A logical connection        between a UE indicated by a single IP address (e.g., single IPv4        address and/or single IPv6 prefix) and a PDN indicated by an        Access Point Name (APN).

EPC (Evolved Packet Core)

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating the architecture of anEvolved Packet System (EPS) including an Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

The EPC is a core element of System Architecture Evolution (SAE) forimproving the performance of 3GPP technology. SAE corresponds to a studyitem for deciding a network structure supporting mobility among varioustypes of network. SAE aims to provide, for example, an optimizedpacket-based system which supports various radio access technologiesbased on IP and provides improved data transfer capabilities.

Specifically, the EPC is a core network of an IP mobile communicationsystem for a 3GPP LTE system and may support packet-based real-time andnon-real-time services. In a legacy mobile communication system (e.g.,2nd or 3rd generation mobile communication system), a core networkfunction is implemented through two separated sub-domains, e.g.,circuit-switched (CS) sub-domain for sound and packet-switched (PS)sub-domain for data. However, in a 3GPP LTE system which is evolved fromthe 3rd generation communication system, the CS and PS sub-domains areunified into a single IP domain. For example, in the 3GPP LTE system,IP-capable UEs can be connected via an IP-based base station (e.g.,eNodeB (evolved Node B)), an EPC, an application domain (e.g., IMS (IPMultimedia Subsystem)). That is, the EPC is a structure inevitablyrequired to implement end-to-end IP service.

The EPC may include various components and FIG. 1 illustrates a few ofthe components, e.g., Serving GateWay (SGW), Packet Data Network GateWay(PDN GW), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving GPRS (General PacketRadio Service) Supporting Node (SGSN), and enhanced Packet Data Gateway(ePDG).

The SGW operates as a boundary point between a Radio Access Network(RAN) and a core network and is an element which performs a function formaintaining a data path between an eNodeB and a PDG GW. In addition, ifa UE moves across an area served by an eNodeB, the SGW serves as a localmobility anchor point. That is, packets may be routed via the SGW formobility in an Evolved-UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) defined after 3GPP Release-8.Further, the SGW may serve as an anchor point for mobility managementwith another 3GPP network such as RAN defined before 3GPP Release-8,e.g., UTRAN or GSM (Global System for Mobile communication)/EDGE(Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network (GERAN).

The PDN GW (or P-GW) corresponds to a termination point of a datainterface directed to a packet data network. The PDN GW may supportpolicy enforcement features, packet filtering and charging support. Inaddition, the PDN GW may serve as an anchor point for mobilitymanagement with a 3GPP network and a non-3GPP network (e.g., untrustednetwork such as Interworking Wireless Local Area Network (I-WLAN) andtrusted network such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or WiMax).

Although the SGW and the PDN GW are configured as separate gateways inthe network architecture of FIG. 1, the two gateways may be implementedaccording to a single gateway configuration option.

The MME performs signaling and control functions to support access of aUE for network connection, network resource allocation, tracking,paging, roaming and handover. The MME controls control plane functionsrelated to subscriber and session management. The MME manages a largenumber of eNodeBs and performs signaling for selection of a typicalgateway for handover to another 2G/3G network. In addition, the MMEperforms security procedures, terminal-to-network session handling, idleterminal location management, etc.

The SGSN handles all packet data such as mobility management andauthentication of a user for another 3GPP network (e.g., GPRS network).

The ePDG serves as a security node for an untrusted non-3GPP network(e.g., I-WLAN, Wi-Fi hotspot, etc.).

As described above in relation to FIG. 1, an IP-capable UE may access anIP service network (e.g., IMS) provided by an operator, via variouselements in the EPC based on non-3GPP access as well as 3GPP access.

FIG. 1 also illustrates various reference points (e.g., S1-U, S1-MME,etc.). In the 3GPP system, a conceptual link connecting two functions ofdifferent functional entities of E-UTRAN and EPC is defined as areference point. Table 1 lists the reference points illustrated inFIG. 1. In addition to the examples of Table 1, various reference pointsmay be present according to network architectures.

TABLE 1 Reference Point Description S1-MME Reference point for thecontrol plane protocol between E-UTRAN and MME S1-U Reference pointbetween E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user plane tunnellingand inter eNodeB path switching during handover S3 It enables user andbearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network mobility inidle and/or active state. This reference point can be used intra-PLMN orinter-PLMN (e.g. in the case of Inter-PLMN HO). S4 It provides relatedcontrol and mobility support between GPRS Core and the 3 GPP Anchorfunction of Serving GW. In addition, if Direct Tunnel is notestablished, it provides the user plane tunnelling. S5 It provides userplane tunnelling and tunnel management between Serving GW and PDN GW. Itis used for Serving GW relocation due to UE mobility and if the ServingGW needs to connect to a non-collocated PDN GW for the required PDNconnectivity. S11 Reference point between MME and SGW SGi It is thereference point between the PDN GW and the packet data network. Packetdata network may be an operator external public or private packet datanetwork or an intra operator packet data network, e.g. for provision ofIMS services. This reference point corresponds to Gi for 3GPP accesses.

Among the reference points illustrated in FIG. 1, S2 a and S2 bcorrespond to non-3GPP interfaces. S2 a is a reference point forproviding a user plane with related control and mobility support betweenthe trusted non-3GPP access and the PDNGW. S2 b is a reference point forproviding a user plane with related control and mobility support betweenthe ePDG and the PDNGW.

Control Mechanism for Providing Proximity Services (ProSe)

The present invention proposes a control mechanism for supportingproximity services (ProSe) or D2D services in a mobile communicationsystem such as 3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS).

Due to increase in user demands related to social network service (SNS),etc., demands for detection/discovery between physically adjacentusers/devices and special applications/services (e.g., proximity-basedapplications/services) have appeared. Even in a 3GPP mobilecommunication system, potential use cases and scenarios of ProSe andpotential service requirements to provide such services are underdiscussion.

The potential use cases of ProSe may include commercial/social services,network offloading, public safety, integration of current infrastructureservices (to assure consistency of the user experience includingreachability and mobility). In addition, use cases and potentialrequirements for public safety in the case of absence of EUTRAN coverage(subject to regional regulations and operator policies, and limited tospecific public-safety designated frequency bands and terminals) areunder discussion.

In particular, the scope of discussion of ProSe by 3GPP assumes thatproximity-based applications/services are provided via LTE or WLAN, andthat discovery and communication are performed between devices under thecontrol of an operator/network.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a default data path for communicationbetween two UEs in an EPS. That is, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary datapath between UE-1 and UE-2 in a general case of no ProSe between UE-1and UE-2. This default path goes via a base station (e.g., eNodeB orHome eNodeB) and gateway nodes (e.g., EPC or operator network). Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when UE-1 and UE-2 exchange data,data from UE-1 may be transmitted via eNodeB-1, S-GW/P-GW, and eNodeB-2to UE-2 and, likewise, data from UE-2 may be transmitted via eNodeB-2,S-GW/P-GW, and eNodeB-1 to UE-1. Although UE-1 and UE-2 are camped ondifferent eNodeBs in FIG. 2, UE-1 and UE-2 may be camped on the sameeNodeB. In addition, although the two UEs are served by the same S-GWand P-GW in FIG. 2, various combinations of services are allowed here.For example, the UEs may be served by the same S-GW and different P-GWs,by different S-GWs and the same P-GW, or by different S-GWs anddifferent P-GWs.

In the present invention, this default data path may be referred to asan infrastructure path, infrastructure data path or infrastructurecommunication path. In addition, communication through theinfrastructure data path may be referred to as infrastructurecommunication.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a direct mode data path between two UEsbased on ProSe. This direct mode data path does not go via a basestation (e.g., eNodeB or Home eNodeB) and gateway nodes (e.g., EPC).

FIG. 3( a) illustrates an exemplary case in which UE-1 and UE-2 arecamped on different eNodeBs (e.g., eNodeB- and eNodeB-2) and exchangedata through a direct mode data path. FIG. 3( b) illustrates anexemplary case in which UE-1 and UE-2 are camped on the same eNodeB(e.g., eNodeB-1) and exchange data through a direct mode data path.

It should be noted that a data path of a user plane is directlyestablished between UEs without going via a base station or a gatewaynode as illustrated in FIG. 3, but a control plane path can beestablished via a base station and a core network. Control informationexchanged through the control plane path may be information aboutsession management, authentication, authorization, security, charging,etc. In the case of ProSe communication between UEs served by differenteNodeBs as illustrated in FIG. 3( a), control information for UE-1 maybe exchanged via eNodeB-1 with a control node (e.g., MME) of a corenetwork, and control information for UE-2 may be exchanged via eNodeB-2with a control node (e.g., MME) of a core network. In the case of ProSecommunication between UEs served by the same eNodeB as illustrated inFIG. 3( b), control information for UE-1 and UE-2 may be exchanged viaeNodeB-1 with a control node (e.g., MME) of a core network.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a locally routed data path between two UEsbased on ProSe. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a ProSe communication datapath between UE-1 and UE-2 is established via eNodeB-1 but does not govia a gateway node (e.g., EPC) operated by an operator. For a controlplane path, if a locally routed data path is established between UEsserved by the same eNodeB as illustrated in FIG. 4, control informationfor UE-1 and UE-2 may be exchanged via eNodeB-1 with a control node(e.g., MME) of a core network.

In the present invention, the data path described above in relation toFIGS. 3 and 4 may be referred to as a direct data path, data path forProSe, ProSe-based data path or ProSe communication path. In addition,communication through this direct data path may be referred to as directcommunication, ProSe communication or ProSe-based communication.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary group communication scenario includingUE-to-network relay operation. As illustrated in FIG. 5, UE-1, UE-2,UE-3, UE-4 and UE-5 are member UEs/users/subscribers belonging to thesame group. An application server (AS) manages the group and groupcommunication, and a dispatcher manages the group. Group communication(or a group call) is made similarly to push-to-talk (PTT), and anoperation for joining the group should be preformed to participate ingroup communication.

In group communication of FIG. 5, one UE may be a talking party, i.e., amedia (e.g., voice) transmitter, at a given point of time. Accordingly,a plurality of UEs may not simultaneously transmit media. UEs other thanthe UE serving as the talking party, which have joined the group forgroup communication, receive media transmitted from the talking partyUE. Here, the UE may serve as the talking party after transmitpermission is explicitly or implicitly received from the AS or thedispatcher.

Particularly, FIG. 5 illustrates that UE-5 receives group communicationservices not via the network but via UE-4. This shows a case in which aUE is located out of 3GPP network coverage (e.g., E-UTRAN coverage inthe following description) or is located in E-UTRAN coverage that doesnot support group communication. In this case, the UE may receive groupcommunication services through relay operation with a member UEbelonging to the same group for receiving group communication servicesvia the network. Accordingly, in the present invention, E-UTRAN coveragesupporting group communication is called a group communication servicerange. Furthermore, reference can be made to 3GPP TS 22.468 and 3GPP TR22.803 for details of service requirements related to groupcommunication.

FIG. 6 is a view for describing the architecture for group communicationservices. A description is now given of reference points illustrated inFIG. 6. A Broadcast-Multicast Service Centre (BM-SC) and an MBMS GW on acore network are used for multi-point service, and GC2 is used torequest setup of the multi-point service. Here, GC2 consists ofcomponents of a user plane and a control plane. GC1 is used forsignaling with a Group Communication Service Enabler (GCSE) AS forregistering a UE in a GCSE group, relaying of eMBMS information, andservice continuity.

Furthermore, in FIG. 6, the major function of the GCSE AS is todetermine whether to deliver downlink media using a unicast scheme or amulticast (i.e., MBMS) scheme for i) a specific group communication orii) a specific UE/receiving group member participating in groupcommunication.

Additionally, uplink traffic is always delivered using a unicast scheme,and multi-point service is implemented using eMBMS. (For detailsthereof, reference can be made to 3GPP TS 23.246.)

Only potential use cases and requirements, and basic data paths andcontrol paths of ProSe are under discussion as described above, butdetails of the architecture and operation of a 3GPP network forsupporting ProSe have not been prepared. The present invention proposesspecific examples of control plane signaling for enabling control ofProSe by an operator/network.

Proximity Services (ProSe)-Based Group Communication

The present invention proposes a mechanism for efficiently controllingproximity-based group communication in a mobile communication systemsuch as 3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS). The proximity-based groupcommunication control mechanism proposed by the present invention mayinclude a combination of one or more of 1) an operation for allowing aUE located out of a group communication service range (i.e., a relayedUE) to join a group for group communication services by a relay UE, 2)an operation for providing relay service to the relayed UE by the relayUE, 3) an operation for reselecting the relay UE, 4) an operation forutilizing a primary relay UE and a secondary relay UE by the relayed UE,and 5) an operation of a group communication AS. A detailed descriptionis now given of operations 1) to 5) proposed by the present invention.

1. Operation for Allowing Relayed UE to Join Group by Relay UE

According to the present invention, the operation for allowing a UElocated out of a group communication service range (hereinafter referredto as a relayed UE or UE-1) to join a group for group communicationservices may include a combination of one or more of operationsdescribed below.

1) A UE capable of relaying group communication, i.e., a UE capable ofserving as a UE-to-network relay (hereinafter referred to as a relay UEor UE-2) may announce one or more identifier(s) included in a group forwhich the UE (i.e., the relay UE) can provide relay service. Theidentifier(s) transmitted from the relay UE as described above may bereceived by other UEs directly or via an eNodeB.

Furthermore, the above announcement may be performed simultaneously withan announcement of the presence of the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) in relationto proximity services, or performed separately therefrom in some cases.In addition, when the identifier(s) of the group for which relay serviceis providable are announced, the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) may already havejoined the group(s). However, the relay UE may also announce theidentifier(s) even before joining the group for which relay service isprovidable.

2) The relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) detects or discovers a UE capable ofrelaying group communication of a group to which the relayed UE belongs(hereinafter referred to as Group#1) (directly or via network), and thenjoins the UE capable of serving as a relay (i.e., UE-2). Furthermore,for convenience of explanation, the operation for joining the UE capableof serving as a relay (i.e., UE-2) may be understood as an operation forjoining a group for which the relayed UE desires to receive relayservice (i.e., Group#1) throughout the present invention.

As such, the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) transmits a join request message tothe UE capable of serving as a relay (i.e., UE-2). If the relayed UE(i.e., UE-1) has detected/discovered a plurality of UEs capable ofserving as a relay, a relay UE may be selected based on variouscriteria. For example, the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) may be selected basedon i) information about a group(s) for which the relay UE can providerelay service, ii) signal intensity, iii) preference, and iv)configuration/policy.

Specifically, for example, it is assumed that UE-A may relay groupcommunication of Group#1 and Group#2, and UE-B may relay groupcommunication of Group#1. On this assumption, when both UE-A and UE-Bsatisfy other conditions for selecting a relay, if a relayed UE desiresto participate in group communications of Group#1 and Group#2, UE-A maybe selected as a relay UE.

In addition, the join request message transmitted from UE-1 to UE-2 mayinclude various information items required for group communication. Forexample, the join request message may include identification informationof the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1I), identification information of a groupto join, and security information.

Subsequent operations may be performed as described below based onwhether the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) joins group communication (i.e.,Group#).

3-a) Case in which the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) having received the joinrequest message from the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) has already joinedGroup#1:

3-a-1) It may be assumed that the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) does not needto be explicitly allowed to join the group (e.g., network/groupcommunication system/AS/dispatcher). If information indicating thatrelay operation should be performed needs to be signaled to the group(e.g., network/group communication system/AS/dispatcher) or permissionneeds to be received from the group in relation to the relay operation,the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) performs an operation for transmitting amessage including relay operation information to the group (i.e.,Group#1). After that, the relay UE transmits a response message to thejoin request message to the relayed UE.

Otherwise, if the information indicating that the relay operation shouldbe performed does not need to be signaled to the group (i.e., Group#)(e.g., network/group communication system/AS/dispatcher) or permissiondoes not need to be received from the group in relation to the relayoperation, the relay UE transmits the response message to the joinrequest message to the relayed UE (without transmitting the messageincluding the relay operation information to the group).

3-a-2) Alternatively, if the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) should beexplicitly allowed to join or should explicitly join the group, and ifthe information indicating that the relay operation should be performedneeds to be signaled to the group (e.g., network/group communicationsystem/AS/dispatcher) or permission needs to be received from the groupin relation to the relay operation, the relay UE performs an operationfor allowing the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) to join the group/an operationfor transmitting a message including relay operation information. Theabove 2 operations may be performed simultaneously, in combination, orseparately. After that, the relay UE transmits the response message tothe join request message to the relayed UE.

Otherwise, if the information indicating that the relay operation shouldbe performed does not need to be signaled to the group (e.g.,network/group communication system/AS/dispatcher) or permission does notneed to be received from the group in relation to the relay operation,the relay UE performs an operation for allowing the relayed UE (i.e.,UE-1) to join the group. After that, the relay UE transmits the responsemessage to the join request message to the relayed UE.

As described above, when the UE for providing relay service (i.e., UE-2)transmits a message for allowing the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) to join thegroup, the UE for providing relay service (i.e., UE-2) may additionallyor optionally include location information (e.g., tracking area identity(TAI) and/or E-UTRAN cell global identifier (ECGI)) thereof in themessage for allowing the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) to join the group.Furthermore, the above description may be applied throughout the presentinvention.

In addition, in 3-a-1) and 3-a-2), the relay operation information mayinclude one or more information items described below, and may beexplicit or implicit information. Furthermore, the relay operationinformation may always be transmitted to the network (or groupcommunication system/group communication AS/dispatcher) in 3-a-2). Inother words, the message for allowing the relayed UE to join the groupmay include the relay operation information. The above description maybe applied throughout the present invention.

-   -   Information indicating that the UE for providing relay service        (i.e., UE-2) performs relay operation for the relayed UE (i.e.,        UE-1)    -   Information indicating that the UE for joining the group (i.e.,        UE-1) joins the group via the relay UE (i.e., UE-2)    -   Information indicating that the UE for joining the group (i.e.,        UE-1) joins/participates in group communication via the relay UE        (i.e., UE-2)    -   Information indicating that the UE for joining the group (i.e.,        UE-1) is i) located out of network coverage, ii) not served by        an eNodeB, or iii) served by the relay UE    -   Information indicating that the UE for joining the group (i.e.,        UE-1) is located in E-UTRAN coverage    -   Information indicating that the UE for joining the group (i.e.,        UE-1) is located out of a group communication service range    -   Identification information (e.g., ID information, IP address        information) of the UE serving as a relay UE

Alternatively, unlike the above description, the UE for providing relayservice (i.e., UE-2) may include location information (e.g., TAI and/orECGI) thereof when a message for joining the group is transmitted to thenetwork, but may not include the location information thereof when amessage for allowing the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) to join the group istransmitted to the network, thereby implicitly announcing that therelayed UE participates in group communication via the relay UE.

3-b) Case in which the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) having received the joinrequest message from the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) has not yet joined thegroup (e.g., Group#):

3-b-1) If the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) does not need to be explicitlyallowed to join the group, and if information indicating that relayoperation should be performed needs to be signaled to the group (e.g.,network/group communication system/AS/dispatcher) or permission needs tobe received from the group in relation to the relay operation, the relayUE performs i) an operation for joining the group/ii) an operation fortransmitting a message including relay operation information. The above2 operations (i.e., i and ii) may be performed simultaneously, incombination, or separately (i.e., independently). After that, the relayUE transmits a response message to the join request message to therelayed UE. Unlike this, the operation for joining the group/theoperation for transmitting the message including the relay operationinformation may be performed after the response message to the joinrequest message is transmitted.

If the information indicating that the relay operation should beperformed does not need to be signaled to the group (e.g., network/groupcommunication system/AS/dispatcher) or permission does not need to bereceived from the group in relation to the relay operation, the relay UEperforms the operation for joining the group. After that, the relay UEtransmits the response message to the join request message to therelayed UE.

3-b-2) If the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) should be explicitly allowed tojoin or should explicitly join the group, and if the informationindicating that the relay operation should be performed needs to besignaled to the group (e.g., network/group communicationsystem/AS/dispatcher) or permission needs to be received from the groupin relation to the relay operation, the relay UE performs i) anoperation for joining the group/ii) an operation for allowing therelayed UE to join the group/iii) an operation for transmitting amessage including relay operation information. The above 3 operations(i.e., i, ii, and iii) may be performed simultaneously, in combination,or separately (i.e., independently). After that, the relay UE transmitsthe response message to the join request message to the relayed UE.Unlike this, the operation for joining the group/the operation forallowing the relayed UE to join the group/the operation for transmittingthe message including the relay operation information may be performedafter the response message to the join request message is transmitted.

However, if the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) should be explicitly allowed tojoin or should explicitly join the group, but if the informationindicating that the relay operation should be performed does not need tobe signaled to the group (e.g., network/group communicationsystem/AS/dispatcher) or permission does not need to be received fromthe group in relation to the relay operation, the relay UE performs i)an operation for joining the group/ii) an operation for allowing therelayed UE to join the group. The above 2 operations (i.e., i and ii)may be performed simultaneously, in combination, or separately. Afterthat, the relay UE transmits the response message to the join requestmessage to the relayed UE. Unlike this, the operation for joining thegroup/the operation for allowing the relayed UE to join the group may beperformed after the response message to the join request message istransmitted.

As the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) joins the relay UE (i.e., UE-2) asdescribed above, at least one of i) mutual authentication, ii) exchangeof information required for group communication, iii) forming of asecurity relationship for group communication (e.g., security keyexchange), and iv) storing of information/context about the opposite UEmay be completed/performed.

In addition, messages exchanged between the relay UE and the network,e.g., i) the message transmitted and received when the relay UE joinsthe group, ii) the message transmitted and received to allow the relayedUE to join the group, and iii) the message including the relay operationinformation, may go via at least one of a RAN node (e.g., eNodeB), acore network node (e.g., MME, S-GW, P-GW, ProSe-associated node/server,group communication system, and/or an application server for groupcommunication), and a dispatcher. Furthermore, the messages exchangedbetween the relay UE and the network may use legacy messages or newlydefined messages. For example, legacy AS/RRC and NAS messages may beused, newly defined AS/RRC and NAS messages may be used, or new protocolmessages may be defined and used.

2. Operation for Providing Relay Service to Relayed UE by Relay UE

If none of the relay UE and the relayed UE is a talking party, the relayUE delivers media/group call/group communication received from thenetwork (or group), to the relayed UE. In this case, the relay UE mayalso deliver identifier information of the talking party.

If the relay UE is the talking party, the relay UE delivers media/groupcall/group communication generated thereby, to the relayed UE. In thiscase, the relay UE may also deliver identifier information thereof asthe identifier information of the talking party. In addition, the relayUE may transmit the media/group call/group communication generatedthereby to the network (or group).

Otherwise, if the relayed UE is the talking party, the relay UE maydeliver media/group call/group communication transmitted from therelayed UE, to the network (or group). In this case, the relay UE mayalso deliver identifier information of the relayed UE as the identifierinformation of the talking party, and may additionally provide theidentifier information of the relay UE.

Furthermore, to allow the relayed UE to be the talking party, transmitpermission may need to be explicitly or implicitly received from thenetwork. In this case, the relay UE may perform an operation forreceiving transmit permission for the relayed UE, and this operation maybe performed similarly to the above-described operation for allowing therelayed UE to join the group by the relay UE.

3. Operation for Reselecting Relay UE

If the relay UE is or has a chance to be no longer capable of providingrelay service to the relayed UE (e.g., if the relay UE and the relayedUE move apart from each other or if the relay UE also moves out of agroup communication service range), the relay UE needs to be reselected.This operation includes a combination of one or more of operationsdescribed below.

1) The relayed UE detects/determines that the relay UE should bereselected, and discovers/joins i) another UE belonging to the samegroup or ii) a UE capable of relaying group communication of a group forwhich the relayed UE desires to receive relay service.

After that, the relayed UE may additionally perform a leave requestoperation on the old relay UE (i.e., the relay UE having previouslyprovided relay service but no longer capable of providing relayservice). However, although the leave request operation is notexplicitly performed, leave operation may be performed implicitly. Here,the leave operation means that the relayed UE leaves the old relay UEand does not mean that the relayed UE leaves the group.

2) The relay UE detects/determines that the relay UE is no longercapable of performing relay operation for the relayed UE. Accordingly,the relay UE performs at least one of i) an operation for selecting anddelegating the role of the relay UE to another relay UE, and ii) anoperation for notifying the relayed UE of related information. Here, therelated information notified to the relayed UE includes informationabout delegation if the role is delegated to another relay UE, orincludes only information indicating that the relay UE (i.e., old relayUE) is no longer capable of performing relay operation if the role isnot delegated to another relay UE.

3) The network detects/determines that the relay UE should be reselectedfor the relayed UE. The network performs at least one of i) an operationfor selecting and delegating the role of the relay UE to another relayUE, and ii) an operation for notifying the relayed UE of relatedinformation. Here, the related information notified to the relayed UEincludes information about delegation if the role is delegated toanother relay UE, or includes only information indicating that the oldrelay UE is no longer capable of performing relay operation if the roleis not delegated to another relay UE.

In the above operations 2) and 3), an operation for delivering theinformation/context about the relayed UE, which is stored in the oldrelay UE, to the new relay UE may be additionally performed.Furthermore, for operation 3), the network may have information aboutthe relayed UE and the relay UE.

4-1. Operation for Utilizing Primary Relay UE and Secondary Relay UE byRelayed UE

When a UE located out of a group communication service range(hereinafter referred to as UE-1) initially selects or reselects a relayUE, if two or more relay UE candidates are detected, two relay UEs maybe selected. Here, one of the two selected relay UEs serves as a primaryrelay UE, and the other relay UE serves as a secondary relay UE.

If a relayed UE desires to receive relay service for a plurality ofgroups (e.g., Group#1 and Group#2), and if a relay UE selectable as aprimary relay UE can provide relay service for the 2 groups and theother relay UEs can provide relay service only for parts of the groups,the relayed UE may select/designate a primary relay UE and a secondaryrelay UE, or may select/designate only secondary relay UEs. For example,if UE-C provides relay service only for Group#1 and UE-D provides relayservice only for Group#2, the relayed UE may select/designate UE-C andUE-D as secondary relay UEs.

In this case, information about the plurality of secondary relay UEs maybe stored in the form of ordering based on various information itemsstored in the relayed UE. Examples of the information stored in therelayed UE to order the secondary relay UEs include i) significancelevels/priorities of groups for which the relayed UE desires to receiverelay service, ii) membership levels of the relayed UE/user in thegroups for which the relayed UE desires to receive relay service, iii)information indicating whether group communication is ongoing in acorresponding group at a relay UE selection timing, and iv) informationindicating whether the relayed UE is a talking party at the relay UEselection timing.

The relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) may select the primary relay UE and thesecondary relay UE, and then perform one of operations described below.The relayed UE may simultaneously select the primary relay UE and thesecondary relay UE and then perform the following operation, or mayselect one relay UE to perform the operation with the selected UE andthen additionally select another UE to perform the operation with theselected UE.

1) Operation for Joining Both the Primary Relay UE and the SecondaryRelay UE:

The relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) may transmit a join request message to theprimary relay UE to explicitly or implicitly request to serve as aprimary relay UE. Furthermore, the relayed UE may provide informationabout the secondary relay UE to the primary relay UE. The primary relayUE performs the above-described operation as the relay UE in theoperation for allowing the relayed UE to join the group by the relay UE.In this case, the primary relay UE may include information indicatingthat the UE itself is the primary relay UE, in a message to betransmitted to the network. Furthermore, the primary relay UE performsthe above-described operation as the relay UE in relation to theoperation for providing relay service to the relayed UE by the relay UE.

In addition, the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1) may transmit a join requestmessage to the secondary relay UE to explicitly or implicitly request toserve as a secondary relay UE. Furthermore, the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1)may provide information about the primary relay UE. The secondary relayUE may or may not perform the above-described operation as the relay UEin relation to the operation for allowing the relayed UE to join thegroup by the relay UE. If the secondary relay UE performs theabove-described operation in relation to the operation for allowing therelayed UE to join the group by the relay UE, the secondary relay UE mayinclude information indicating that the UE itself is the secondary relayUE, in a message to be transmitted to the network.

2) Operation for Joining Only the Primary Relay UE:

Operation for joining the primary relay UE by the relayed UE (i.e.,UE-1) and operation performed by the primary relay UE follow theabove-described operation 1). In this case, the relayed UE (i.e., UE-1)may only form the relationship of the relay UE and the relayed UEwithout joining the secondary relay UE. In this case, variousinformation items required to form the relationship of the relay UE andthe relayed UE, which include information about the primary relay UE,may be exchanged therebetween.

Furthermore, interaction operation of the primary relay UE and thesecondary relay UE may be additionally performed.

4-2. Operation for Reselecting One of Primary Relay UE and SecondaryRelay UE

If the primary relay UE or the secondary relay UE is or has a chance tobe no longer capable of providing relay service to the relayed UE (e.g.,if the relay UE and the relayed UE move apart from each other or if therelay UE also moves out of a group communication service range), therelay UE needs to be reselected. This operation includes a combinationof one or more of operations described below.

1) The relayed UE detects/determines that the primary relay UE should bereselected, and discovers another UE belonging to the same group or a UEcapable of relaying group communication of a group for which the relayedUE desires to receive relay service, thereby selecting the discovered UEas the primary relay UE. Alternatively, the relayed UE switches thesecondary relay UE (one selected secondary relay UE if a plurality ofsecondary relay UEs are present) to the primary relay UE, and discoversanother UE belonging to the same group or a UE capable of relaying groupcommunication of a group for which the relayed UE desires to receiverelay service, thereby selecting the discovered UE as the secondaryrelay UE.

2) The relayed UE detects/determines that the secondary relay UE shouldbe reselected, and i) discovers another UE belonging to the same groupor a UE capable of relaying group communication of a group for which therelayed UE desires to receive relay service, thereby selecting thediscovered UE as the secondary relay UE, or ii) discovers another UEbelonging to the same group or a UE capable of relaying groupcommunication of a group for which the relayed UE desires to receiverelay service, thereby selecting the discovered UE as the primary relayUE, and switches the old primary relay UE to the secondary relay UE.

3) The primary relay UE may detect/determine that the primary relay UEis no longer capable of performing relay operation for the relayed UE,and perform at least one of i) an operation for selecting and delegatingthe role of the primary relay UE to another relay UE, and ii) anoperation for notifying the relayed UE of related information. Here, therelated information notified to the relayed UE includes informationabout delegation if the role is delegated to another relay UE, orincludes only information indicating that the primary relay UE is nolonger capable of performing relay operation if the role is notdelegated to another relay UE. In addition, after the information isreceived, the relayed UE may perform the operation for selecting theprimary relay UE.

Alternatively, the primary relay UE may perform at least one of i) anoperation for delegating the role of the primary relay UE to thesecondary relay UE (one selected secondary relay UE if a plurality ofsecondary relay UEs are present), and ii) an operation for notifying therelayed UE of related information (including information aboutdelegation if the role is delegated to the secondary relay UE, orincluding only information indicating that the primary relay UE is nolonger capable of performing relay operation if the role is notdelegated to the secondary relay UE). After the information is received,the relayed UE may additionally perform the operation for selecting thesecondary relay UE.

4) The secondary relay UE may detect/determine that the secondary relayUE is no longer capable of performing relay operation for the relayedUE, and perform at least one of i) an operation for selecting anddelegating the role of the secondary relay UE to another relay UE, andii) an operation for notifying the relayed UE of related information(including information about delegation if the role is delegated toanother relay UE, or including only information indicating that thesecondary relay UE is no longer capable of performing relay operation ifthe role is not delegated to another relay UE). After the information isreceived, the relayed UE may perform the operation for selecting thesecondary relay UE.

5) The network may detect/determine that the primary relay UE should bereselected for the relayed UE, and perform at least one of i) anoperation for selecting and delegating the role of the primary relay UEto another relay UE, and ii) an operation for notifying the relayed UEof related information (including information about delegation if therole is delegated to another relay UE, or including only informationindicating that the primary relay UE is no longer capable of performingrelay operation if the role is not delegated to another relay UE). Afterthe information is received, the relayed UE may perform the operationfor selecting the primary relay UE.

Alternatively, the network may perform at least one of i) an operationfor delegating the role of the primary relay UE to the secondary relayUE (one selected secondary relay UE if a plurality of secondary relayUEs are present), and ii) an operation for notifying the relayed UE ofrelated information (including information about delegation if the roleis delegated to the secondary relay UE, or including only informationindicating that the primary relay UE is no longer capable of performingrelay operation if the role is not delegated to the secondary relay UE).After the information is received, the relayed UE may additionallyperform the operation for selecting the secondary relay UE.

6) The network may detect/determine that the secondary relay UE shouldbe reselected for the relayed UE, and perform at least one of i) anoperation for selecting and delegating the role of the secondary relayUE to another relay UE, and ii) an operation for notifying the relayedUE of related information (including information about delegation if therole is delegated to another relay UE, or including only informationindicating that the secondary relay UE is no longer capable ofperforming relay operation if the role is not delegated to another relayUE). After the information is received, the relayed UE may perform theoperation for selecting the secondary relay UE.

For the above-described operations 5) and 6), the network may haveinformation about the relayed UE, the primary relay UE, and thesecondary relay UE.

When the secondary relay UE is switched to the primary relay UE in theabove description, if the relayed UE performs the above-describedoperation for joining both the primary relay UE and the secondary relayUE, the secondary relay UE may serve as the primary relay UE immediatelyafter the secondary relay UE detects/determines that the secondary relayUE is switched to the primary relay UE. Furthermore, the switched relayUE (from the secondary relay UE to the primary relay UE) maydetect/determine the switching by explicitly receiving a request tostart the role of the primary relay UE (e.g., to relay media if groupcommunication is ongoing) from the relayed UE, or without any explicitrequest.

When the secondary relay UE is switched to the primary relay UE in theabove description, if the relayed UE performs the above-describedoperation for joining only the primary relay UE, the relay UE may serveas the primary relay UE after receiving a request to start the role ofthe primary relay UE from the relayed UE.

Furthermore, if the relayed UE utilizes the primary relay UE and thesecondary relay UE and performs the operation for joining both theprimary relay UE and the secondary relay UE or the operation for joiningonly the primary relay UE, the relayed UE may select/determine/switchthe primary and secondary relay UEs between two relay UEs based on, forexample, i) information about a group(s) for which the relay UE canprovide relay service, ii) signal intensity, iii) preference, and iv)configuration/policy.

In addition, the relayed UE may determine whether to select/utilize onlyone relay UE or two relay UEs, based on various information itemsdescribed below. However, such information items are merely listed forconvenience of explanation below, and should not be construed as beinglimited thereto.

-   -   The number of relay UE candidates    -   Signal intensities with the relay UE candidates    -   Information indicating whether group communication is ongoing at        a relay UE selection timing    -   Information indicating whether the relayed UE is a talking party        at the relay UE selection timing    -   Policy/configuration    -   Battery charge information of the relayed UE    -   Location information of the relayed UE    -   Information about a group(s) for which the relay UE can provide        relay service    -   History information when the relayed UE is located in E-UTRAN        coverage, e.g., information about a PLMN for the latest service,        information indicating whether the PLMN is a roaming network,        etc.

5. Operation of Group Communication Application Server (AS)

5-1) The group communication AS may determine whether to deliverdownlink media/traffic for a specific group using a multicast (i.e.,MBMS) scheme based on i) the number of members belonging to the groupwithin a cell or ii) the number of UEs/users participating in groupcommunication of the group.

For example, the group communication AS may determine to use MBMS if thenumber is equal to or greater than, or satisfies a certain referencevalue. In this case, the group communication AS excludes (i.e., does notcount) UEs which receive relay service (via relay UEs) when counting thenumber of members belonging to the group within the cell. As such,inappropriate determination to use MBMS by counting UEs participating ingroup communication via relay UEs (i.e., UEs not capable of receivingMBMS media/traffic) even when the actual number of UEs located withincoverage of the cell and capable of receiving MBMS media/traffic whilebeing served by an eNodeB is less than the reference value may beprevented.

Although whether to use MBMS is determined on a cell basis in the abovedescription, the determination can be made based on variousgranularities. Examples thereof may include a group communicationservice area, an MBMS service area, a tracking area, multiple trackingareas, a single cell, multiple cells, a Multimedia Broadcast multicastservice Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area, an area split/divided forgroup communication, and a PLMN.

5-2) When the group communication AS should transmit MBMS serviceinformation/information related to MBMS service/MBMS user servicedescription (USD) information to UEs joining the group or participatingin group communication, the group communication AS does not transmit theinformation to UEs participating in group communication via relay UEs.In this case, when the group communication AS should transmit MBMSservice information, the group communication AS may transmit the MBMSservice information to the relay UEs. The MBMS service informationshould be transmitted to UEs, for example, i) if the MBMS serviceinformation should be transmitted to all UEs joining a specific group todeliver downlink media/traffic to the group using an MBMS scheme, ii) ifa new UE joins a group having already delivered downlink media/trafficusing an MBMS scheme, and iii) if the content of the MBMS serviceinformation is changed.

Furthermore, the above-described MBMS service information includesvarious information items required by a UE to receive MBMSmedia/traffic, e.g., a service identifier (ID), a temporary mobile groupidentity (TMGI), and media information including a multicastaddress/port of media.

In the above-described operations 5-1) and 5-2), the group communicationAS determines whether a UE joining the group participates in groupcommunication via a relay UE, based on one or more information itemsdescribed below.

A message for joining the group is received from the UE and this messageincludes relay operation information. Information corresponding to therelay operation information follows the description given above inrelation to the operation for allowing the relayed UE to join the groupby the relay UE. In addition, the relay operation information may beincluded in the message for joining the group by the relay UE or therelayed UE.

A message for joining the group is received from the UE and this messagedoes not include location information of the UE.

Furthermore, if the message for joining the group is received from theUE, the group communication AS may allow the UE to join the group andstore information indicating that the UE participates in groupcommunication via a relay UE (i.e., the relay operation information)together with information about the UE/user authenticated to join thegroup.

Although a description of group communication including UE-to-networkrelay operation has been given above, the proximity-based groupcommunication method proposed by the present invention may be extendedand applied to group communication including UE-to-UE relay operation.Furthermore, the present invention may also be extended and applied to acase in which multiple UEs simultaneously transmit media. In addition,the present invention may be applied to, for example, one-to-onecommunication and broadcast communication as well as groupcommunication.

Furthermore, the above-described operation for joining the group may beunderstood as an operation for registering in the group (including anode or function related to group communication, e.g., groupcommunication system/group communication AS/dispatcher) in the presentinvention.

In addition, the above-described operation for discovering the relay UEby the relayed UE may refer to a discovery operation performed whileexchanging messages therebetween, or simply refer to an operation fordetecting/discovering the relay UE by the relayed UE in the presentinvention.

Besides, the above-described application server for group communication,AS, group communication AS, or group communication system may correspondto or include the GCSE AS of FIG. 6 in the present invention.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the LTE/EPC networkand may be applied to all UMTS/EPS mobile communication systemsincluding both a 3GPP access network (e.g., UTRAN/GERAN/E-UTRAN) and anon-3GPP access network (e.g., WLAN). In addition, the present inventionmay also be applied to all other radio mobile communication systemenvironments to which control of a network is applied.

A description is now given of operation according to an embodiment ofthe present invention based on the above descriptions.

FIG. 7 illustrates group communication according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 7 assumes that UE-1 100, UE-2 200, and UE-3 300are members of Group#1 and the UE-1 100 is not capable of participatingin group communication of Group#1 via the network and thus participatesin group communication of Group#1 via a UE-to-network relay (i.e.,UE-2).

In step 1 of FIG. 7, the UE-2 200 transmits a message forjoining/registering in a group to participate in group communication ofGroup#1, i.e., a GCSE Register message, to a GCSE AS 800. As such, instep 2 of FIG. 7, the GCSE AS 800 transmits a response message to theGCSE Register message received from the UE-2 200, i.e., a GCSE RegisterAck message, to the UE-2 200.

In step 3 of FIG. 7, the UE-1 100 detects or discovers a UE-to-networkrelay to participate in group communication of Group#1. As a result, theUE-2 200 is determined to relay the group communication. A detaileddescription of the method for discovering/determining a relay UE hasbeen given above in relation to ProSe-based group communicationaccording to the present invention, and thus is omitted here to avoidredundancy.

In step 4 of FIG. 7, the UE-1 100 transmits a message forjoining/registering in a group to participate in group communication ofGroup#, i.e., a GCSE Register message, to the UE-2 200. (Alternatively,this message is ultimately transmitted to the GCSE AS 800, and thus maybe understood as being transmitted to the GCSE AS 800.)

In step 5 of FIG. 7, the UE-2 200 transmits the GCSE Register messagereceived from the UE-1 100, to the GCSE AS 800. In this case, the UE-2200 may include relay operation information in the GCSE Registermessage. Alternatively, the relay operation information may be includedby the UE-1 100 in step 4. A detailed description of the relay operationinformation has been given above in relation to ProSe-based groupcommunication according to the present invention, and thus is omittedhere to avoid redundancy.

In step 6 of FIG. 7, the GCSE AS 800 having received the GCSE Registermessage detects that the UE-1 100 desires to participate in groupcommunication of Group#1 via a relay UE. The GCSE AS 800 transmits aresponse message to the GCSE Register message received from the UE-1100, i.e., a GCSE Register Ack message, to the UE-2 200. (Alternatively,this message is ultimately transmitted to the UE-1 100, and thus may beunderstood as being transmitted to the UE-1 100.)

In step 7 of FIG. 7, the UE-2 200 transmits the GCSE Register Ackmessage received from the GCSE AS 800, to the UE-1 100.

In step 8 of FIG. 7, group communication of Group#1 is started and it isassumed that the GCSE AS 800 determines to transmit downlinkmedia/traffic using a unicast scheme. As such, the GCSE AS 800 transmitsdownlink media/traffic using a unicast scheme to the UE-2 200. Forexample, the GCSE AS 800 determines to transmit downlink media/trafficusing a unicast scheme because the number of all UEs participating ingroup communication of Group#1 and camped on a cell on which the UE-2200 is camped is still insufficient to use an MBMS scheme (i.e., lessthan a reference value). When the number of UEs is counted, a UEparticipating in group communication via a relay UE (i.e., UE-1) is notcounted or considered.

In step 9 of FIG. 7, the UE-2 200 having received the downlinkmedia/traffic for Group#1 from the network transmits the media/trafficto the UE-1 100 through ProSe communication.

In step 10 of FIG. 7, the UE-3 300 transmits a message forjoining/registering in a group to participate in group communication ofGroup#1, i.e., a GCSE Register message, to the GCSE AS 800. It isassumed that the UE-3 300 is camped on the same cell as the UE-2 200.

In step 11 of FIG. 7, the GCSE AS 800 transmits a response message tothe GCSE Register message received from the UE-3 300, i.e., a GCSERegister Ack message, to the UE-3 300.

In step 12 of FIG. 7, the GCSE AS 800 determines to transmit downlinkmedia/traffic using an MBMS scheme for the cell in which the UE-2 200and the UE-3 300 are located. For example, the GCSE AS 800 determines totransmit downlink media/traffic using an MBMS scheme because the numberof all UEs participating in group communication of Group#1 and camped onthe cell on which the UE-2 200 and the UE-3 300 are camped satisfies thereference value for determining to use MBMS. When the number of UEs iscounted, a UE participating in group communication via a relay UE (i.e.,the UE-1 100 in FIG. 7) is not counted or considered.

In steps 13, 14, and 15 of FIG. 7, the GCSE AS 800 acquires USDinformation for MBMS delivery from a BM-SC 700, and transmits the MBMSUSD information corresponding to MBMS service information to the UE-2200 and the UE-3 300. For reference, the GCSE AS 800 does not transmitthe MBMS USD information to the UE-1 100 because the GCSE AS 800 knowsthat the UE-1 100 participates in group communication via a relay UE.

In step 16 of FIG. 7, the GCSE AS 800 transmits downlink media/trafficusing an MBMS scheme. The UE-2 200 and the UE-3 300 receive the downlinkmedia/traffic based on the MBMS USD information acquired in steps 14 and15.

In step 17 of FIG. 7, the UE-2 200 having received the downlinkmedia/traffic for Group#1 from the network transmits the media/trafficto the UE-1 100 through ProSe communication.

In addition, although step 12 of FIG. 7 assumes that group communicationis ongoing (i.e., group communication has already been started in step8), group communication may be started in step 12.

Furthermore, FIG. 7 assumes that the UE-2 200 is a member of Group#1corresponding to group communication in which the UE-1 100 participates.However, even when the UE-2 200 is not a member of Group#1, the UE-2 200may relay group communication of Group#1 for the UE-1 100. In this case,steps 1 and 2 of FIG. 7 are not necessary.

FIG. 8 illustrates group communication according to another embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 8 assumes that the UE-1 100, the UE-2200, and the UE-3 300 are members of Group#1 and the UE-1 100 is notcapable of participating in group communication of Group#1 via thenetwork and thus participates in group communication of Group#1 via aUE-to-network relay (i.e., the UE-2 200).

In step 1 of FIG. 8, it is assumed that group communication of Group#1is ongoing. The GCSE AS 800 transmits downlink media/traffic using anMBMS scheme. As such, the UE-2 200 and the UE-3 300 receive the downlinkmedia/traffic based on already acquired MBMS USD information.

In step 2 of FIG. 8, the UE-2 200 having received the downlinkmedia/traffic for Group#1 from the network transmits the media/trafficto the UE-1 100 through ProSe communication.

In step 3 of FIG. 8, MBMS service information is changed. This meansthat one or more information items included in the MBMS serviceinformation are changed/updated. As such, the GCSE AS 800 determines totransmit the MBMS USD information corresponding to the MBMS serviceinformation to UEs participating in group communication. An example inwhich the MBMS service information is changed includes a case in which,as QoS related to an MBMS bearer is changed, a new TMGI is allocatedinstead of an old TMGI and thus group communication is performed via anMBMS bearer to which the changed QoS is applied.

In steps 4 and 5 of FIG. 8, the GCSE AS 800 transmits the MBMS USDinformation corresponding to the MBMS service information to the UE-2200 and the UE-3 300. Here, the GCSE AS 800 does not transmit the MBMSUSD information to the UE-1 100 because the GCSE AS 800 knows that theUE-1 100 participates in group communication via a relay UE.

In step 6 of FIG. 8, the GCSE AS 800 transmits downlink media/trafficusing an MBMS scheme. As such, the UE-2 200 and the UE-3 300 receivesthe downlink media/traffic based on the already acquired MBMS USDinformation.

In step 7 of FIG. 8, the UE-2 200 having received the downlinkmedia/traffic for Group#1 from the network transmits the media/trafficto the UE-1 100 through ProSe communication.

In addition, FIG. 8 assumes that the UE-2 200 is a member of Group#1corresponding to group communication in which the UE-1 100 participates.However, even when the UE-2 200 is not a member of Group#1, the UE-2 200may relay group communication of Group#1 for the UE-1 100.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be appliedindependently or two or more embodiments may be applied simultaneously.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the configurations of a UE 100 and anetwork node 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the UE 100 according to the present invention mayinclude a transceiver module 110, a processor 120, and a memory 130. Thetransceiver module 110 may be configured to transmit and receive varioustypes of signals, data and information to and from an external device.The UE 100 may be connected to the external device by wire and/orwirelessly. The processor 120 may be configured to provide overallcontrol to the UE 100, and to process information to be transmitted toor received from the external device by the UE 100. The memory 130 maystore the processed information for a certain period of time and may bereplaced by an element such as a buffer (not shown).

The UE 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may beconfigured to participate in ProSe based on a result of determiningwhether ProSe started by a network is enabled or whether a ProSe UE isdiscovered. The processor 120 of the UE 100 may be configured totransmit ProSe-based information to the network node 200 using thetransceiver module 110. The processor 120 may be configured to receiveProSe permission information from the network node 200 using thetransceiver module 110. The processor 120 may be configured to processsignals for setting up a direct data path with another UE. The processor120 may be configured to perform direct communication with the other UEusing the transceiver module 110. The processor 120 may be configured totransmit ProSe result information to the network node 200 using thetransceiver module 110.

Referring to FIG. 9, the network node 200 according to the presentinvention may include a transceiver module 210, a processor 220, and amemory 230. The transceiver module 210 may be configured to transmit andreceive various types of signals, data and information to and from anexternal device. The network node 200 may be connected to the externaldevice by wire and/or wirelessly. The processor 220 may be configured toprovide overall control to the network node 200, and to processinformation to be transmitted to or received from the external device bythe network node 200. The memory 230 may store the processed informationfor a certain period of time and may be replaced by an element such as abuffer (not shown).

The network node 200 according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay be configured to support ProSe among a plurality of UEs. Theprocessor 220 of the network node 200 may be configured to receiveProSe-based information from the UE 100 or another network node usingthe transceiver module 210. The processor 220 may be configured totransmit ProSe permission information to the UE 100 using thetransceiver module 210. The processor 220 may be configured to processsignals supporting the UE 100 to set up a direct data path with anotherUE. The processor 220 may be configured to receive ProSe resultinformation from the UE 100 using the transceiver module. 210.

In addition, for the detailed configurations of the UE 100 and thenetwork node 200, the above-described embodiments of the presentinvention may be applied independently or two or more embodiments may beapplied simultaneously, and repeated descriptions are omitted forclarity.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented by various means, for example, hardware, firmware, software,or a combination thereof.

In a hardware configuration, the methods according to embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented by one or more Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), DigitalSignal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc.

In a firmware or software configuration, the methods according toembodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of amodule, a procedure, a function, etc. performing the above-describedfunctions or operations. Software code may be stored in a memory unitand executed by a processor. The memory unit may be located inside oroutside the processor and exchange data with the processor via variousknown means.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention maybe carried out in other specific ways than those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of thepresent invention. The above embodiments are therefore to be construedin all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention should be determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, not by the above description, and all changes coming withinthe meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended tobe embraced therein.

The embodiments of the present invention described hereinbelow arecombinations of elements and features of the present invention. Theelements or features may be considered selective unless otherwisementioned. Each element or feature may be practiced without beingcombined with other elements or features. Further, an embodiment of thepresent invention may be constructed by combining parts of the elementsand/or features. Operation orders described in embodiments of thepresent invention may be rearranged. Some constructions of any oneembodiment may be included in another embodiment and may be replacedwith corresponding constructions of another embodiment. It is obvious tothose skilled in the art that claims that are not explicitly cited ineach other in the appended claims may be presented in combination as anembodiment of the present invention or included as a new claim bysubsequent amendment after the application is filed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are applicableto various mobile communication systems.

1. A method for performing group communication based on proximityservices (ProSe) in a wireless communication system, the methodcomprising: performing group communication registration in a networknode by a relay user equipment (UE); and performing group communicationwith the network node by the relay UE, wherein the group communicationis configured to transmit a downlink signal using a multimedia broadcastand multimedia service (MBMS) scheme if a number of UEs other thanrelayed UEs among the UEs registered in the network node is equal to orgreater than a reference value.
 2. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: receiving a first message for group registration ofthe network node, from a relayed UE by the relay UE; and transmitting asecond message for group registration of the relayed UE to the networknode.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second messagecomprises location information of the relay UE.
 4. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein the location information comprises at least one of atracking area identity (TAI) and an E-UTRAN cell global identifier(ECGI).
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second messagecomprises relay operation information, and wherein the relay operationinformation indicates at least one of: whether the relay UE performsrelay operation for the relayed UE; whether group registration of therelayed UE is performed via the relay UE; whether the relayed UEparticipates in group communication via the relay UE; whether therelayed UE is located in network coverage; whether the relayed UE islocated in E-UTRAN coverage supporting group communication; and whetherthe relayed UE is located in a group communication service range.
 6. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the second message comprisesidentification information of the relay UE.
 7. The method according toclaim 2, further comprising receiving MBMS service information from thenetwork node.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the MBMSservice information is configured to be transmitted only to at least onerelay UE among the at least one relay UE and at least one relayed UElocated in a service range of the group communication.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the MBMS service information comprises atleast one of a service identifier (ID), a temporary mobile groupidentity (TMGI), and a multicast address of media.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein granularity for a service range of thegroup communication is one of a single cell, a group communicationservice area, an MBMS service area, a single tracking area, multipletracking areas, multiple cells, a Multimedia Broadcast multicast serviceSingle Frequency Network (MBSFN) area, an area pre-specified for groupcommunication, and a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).
 11. A method forsupporting group communication based on proximity services (ProSe) by anetwork node in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:registering at least one user equipment (UE) in a specific group forreceiving data from the network node; and determining a groupcommunication scheme for a plurality of UEs registered in the specificgroup, wherein the group communication scheme is determined as amultimedia broadcast and multimedia service (MBMS) scheme if a number ofthe UEs other than relayed UEs satisfies a reference value.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, further comprising receiving user servicedescription (USD) information for MBMS delivery from aBroadcast-Multicast Service Centre (BM-SC) by the network node.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein the network node is configured totransmit MBMS information only to at least one relay UE among the atleast one relay UE and at least one relayed UE located in a servicerange of the group communication.
 14. The method according to claim 12,wherein the USD information is configured to be used to receive downlinkmedia/traffic by a relay UE located in a service range of the groupcommunication.
 15. A relay user equipment (UE) (or a ProSeUBE-to-network relay) for performing group communication based onproximity services (ProSe) in a wireless communication system, the relayUE comprising: a radio frequency (RF) unit; and a processor, wherein theprocessor is configured to perform group communication registration in anetwork node, and to perform group communication with the network node,and wherein the group communication is configured to transmit a downlinksignal using a multimedia broadcast and multimedia service (MBMS) schemeif a number of UEs other than relayed UEs among the UEs registered inthe network node is equal to or greater than a reference value.
 16. Anetwork node for supporting group communication based on proximityservices (ProSe) in a wireless communication system, the network nodecomprising: a radio frequency (RF) unit; and a processor, wherein thegroup communication is configured to register at least one userequipment (UE) in a specific group for receiving data from the networknode, and to determine a group communication scheme for the at least oneUE registered in the specific group, and wherein the group communicationscheme is determined as a multimedia broadcast and multimedia service(MBMS) scheme if a number of UEs other than relayed UEs among aplurality of UEs registered in the network node is equal to or greaterthan a reference value.